Treading Water Day
The next feature I thought may be interesting is night watches. Each watch (2 of us) does one every day and they rotate and these are on top of the day watches. The night watches are from 8.00pm until 11.00pm, 11.00pm t2.00am, 2.00am and 5.00am (red eye slot) and 5.00am to 8.00am. It gets dark at about 6-6.30pm and so by 8.00pm it sort of feels like the night has started. As we have supper about 6.30pm we are normally all awake and those doing the 11.00am to 2.00am slot have to decide whether to stay awake and chat or read or get some sleep before that shift.
The watch starts with a handover and so 15 minutes before the next person(s) is due on watch, the watch person(s) is to ensure that the next watch is awake and make them a drink (tea or coffee). When they come up to take over there should be a proper handover. This covers a number of things set out in the checklist below. The handover takes place and the watch takes over. During that watch they are responsible for sailing/running the boat and can call for help from the next watch or if urgent/important can call me the Skipper. The watch is 3 hours and a log is done in the logbook every hour. Those on watch keep each other awake and watch for shipping on both the chart plotter and visually (as some vessels do not show up on the plotter depending on whether they have AIS or not). Although it is dark all boats are required to display certain lights and we as a boat do the same. You can see ships lights some miles away depending on visibility. The watch also ensures we are on the right course and adjust the sail plan to suit the conditions. They can make themselves drinks and raid the naughty cupboard where the chocolates and other such goodies are stored. It is also a great time to have long and interesting conversations and you get to know your watchmate quite well as you are spending at least 7 hours together on watches and sometimes more.
The 8-11 slot is not too bad and goes relatively quickly especially if others are around. There is normally no one else awake on the other night watches and I find the 11.00pm-2.00am and 2.00am to 5.00am watches quite hard and you have to stay awake and alert even if there is nothing going on. This may mean standing up, watching the stars or doing a few exercises. It is very quiet and you can hear the familiar noises of the boat (creaking) and the sea. You are listening out for unusual sounds or different sounds which may indicate a problem/issue.
The 5.00am to 8,00am slot has an advantage in that it has the delight of watching the dawn and this starts with a tiny bit of light in one area of the sky in the east which gradually increases until the sun starts to rise. It is a great feeling and the start of the day. Before the end of the shift others awake and breakfast begins. You then have to decide if you go to bed or stay up and rest later. The watches therefore do disturb your sleep patterns but you do get used to it.
Today
Robbie and I were on the 5.00am-8.00am watch and saw the sunrise about 6.30am. When we took over from Keith and Peter we were motoring North as the wind had died in the night again. I decided to do a weather check and realised that things had changed and the northern route was no longer the best and decided we would change to go south. I put in some new waypoints. When Mark and Ian came on we discussed the change in plan and decided to sail on a port tack after breakfast even though the winds are quite light. Robbie made some porridge which went down well again and it is coming a regular breakfast treat.
It was a lovely day in comparison to yesterday and the sea was blue and reasonably calm with few white horses but with still a long large swell. We started the port tack and the wind varied between 8-12 kts. Even at 12 kts it is not strong enough to stop due to the roll the sails backing a bit and when they fill again they slap or flop which is annoying and not good for the sails. We put up with it for a while and then decided to put in the engine again. The issue with the engine is that whilst it gives you speed it does not stop the roll on the side from the swell. This can be up to 15-18m degrees and you go from one side to the other. This is wearing and makes cooking, showering and general life on board quite hard. If you have the sails up with good wind this obviates most of the effect of the swell. I am afraid it is grin and bear it until the wind is due to fill in about 6.00pm tomorrow. We therefore have quite a bit of motoring and rolling to contend with. We have an orchestra in the galley from the sound of crockery, bowls and mugs rattling and clinking in their cupboards or sink.
Despite this we are in good spirits and the attitude is it is what it is. Mark made some more bread and we had a nice salad lunch with chicken pieces. It was a hot sultry day with little wind and down below with no windows it is very hot. In the cockpit there is more of a breeze and of course the fantastic view of the ocean.
Suddenly we saw another boat on the plotter – a yacht. We had not seen one for days and it was about 12nm awa and was called Cross the Breeze. We wanted to be friendly and called them up. It was a French boat which had come from Lanzarote and was on its way to Martinique. We exchanged pleasantries and we wished each other well. The sunset was fantastic again with huge orange sky and a tiny lemon slice moon which looked like it had an electric light in it. We watched this unfold as we eat Bangers and Mash (half sweet potato) cooked by Peter. We had a night of motoring ahead and I felt like we were treading water. Now is the last push and it will be good to get there.
Distance last 24 hours 155nm
STORMBIRD
CHANGING WATCH
15 minutes before the next person(s) is due on watch, the watch person(s) is to ensure that the next watch is awake and make them a drink (tea o coffee). When they come up to take over there should be a proper handover.
These items should include:
1. The vessel’s position, course and speed;
2. The log should be done just before handover so the course plotted on the chart and the log can be shown to the persons(s) taking over;
3. Current weather situation and sail plan (i.e. reefs or genoa/staysail);
4. Max boat speed on their watch;
5. Current course and alterations to course on that watch from plan;
6. Vessels in the vicinity – movement of;
7. ID of shore lights/buoys/navigation marks;
8. Any conditions/hazards to be aware of;
9. Any problems with boat or issues;
10. Any relevant radio messages;
11. Any change in barometer;
12. Any distress calls or signals
If you need further help on watch – call the next watch up first.
Call Skipper if – - deterioration in weather/fast change in barometer
- Problems with hydraulics
- Problems with sail furling
- Problem with rudder/steering
- Illness/injury of any crew
- Man overboard
- Leaving cockpit at night?
- Collison/hitting an object
- Bilge pump alarm
- Dangerous shipping nearby
- Radio message – requesting help nearby
- Broken running rigging/rigging issue
- Serious fatigue on watch
- Changing course from plan
- Instrument/electrical problem
- Any other issue requiring the skipper
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